Fender



April 26, 1932. J, R, HUGHES 1,855,761

FENDER 'Filed Oct. 29, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR.

/ ATT EY April 26, 1932. J. R. HUGHES FENDER Filed Oct. 29, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 s\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 'r/////////////////t INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 26,' `1932 UNITEDv srA'rs JAMES R. HUGHES, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO lTHE STUDEBAKER COR;

IPORATION, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY FENDERA Appnation'niea'octobr 29, 1930. serial 110.491,928. i

rlhis invention relates to a novel fender construction for use in automobiles.

An object of the invention relates f to a novel protective device for use in automobiles.

Another object consists in the provision of a shield for motor vehicle spring suspension assemblies.

A further object relates to a removable pro tective shield for the under surfaces of automobile fenders.

A more specific object of the invention comprises a device associated with fenders and adapted to serve as a shield for vehicle spring assemblies and for the under surface of the fenders.

A further obj ect pertains to the ornament-ation of automobile fenders.

Further objects will become evident from the following detailed description of the invention.

Referring to the drawings which show suitable embodiments of the present invention;

Figure l is a perspective view showing the fender embodying the features of the invention, assembled on an automobile, the view being taken from the left hand side of the automobile.

Figure 2 is a perspective View, partially in section, of the assembly shown in Figure l, takenfrom the right hand side of the automobile. Y Y' Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view partially in section, of a modification.

Figure 4 represents 'a section taken substantially along section line 4-4 of Figure l.

Figure 5 is a Section taken substantially along section line 5*-5 of Figure l.

Figure 6 is a section taken substantially alongrsection line 6-6 of Figure l.

Figure 7 is a section taken substantially along section line 7-7 of Figure l.

Figure 8 is a section taken along section line 8-8 of Figure 2. l

Figure 9 is a section taken along'section line 9--9 of Figure 3. V, Y

According to conventional automobile design, the body frame is supported upon multiple leaf springs by means of shackles which pivotally connect the frame. to its resilient supports. Fenders, provided adjacent to the wheels of the vehicle, are fastened 'above the springs and extend outwardly over the wheels. This construction exposes the springs, shackles, and under surface ofthe fenders to flying stones, mud, dirt, water and the like which present ever-present damaging influences to the car. The'shackles and springs require careful lubrication to prevent wearing away of sliding surfaces and to eliminate a fertile cause of squeaks and rattles. However, in the usual form of construction the oiled and greased surfaces of the springs and shackles are ready accessible to flying dbris which diminishes the eflif .ciency of the lubricant and introduces a positive cause of abrasion. Under conventional forms of construction, the under surface as well as the springs and shackles quickly become coveredwith mud, asphalt and other forms of dirt which may be removed only with great diiiiculty, and they are furthermore liable to. damage from flying stones and other destructive bodies. Y

In the practice of my invention, I substantially eliminate these disadvantages by providing the fenders with shields which are adapted p also to enclose the springs and shackles. rIhese shields serve to protect the enclosed elements,'and they may be made removable for the purpose of cleaning, repairing or replacing the same. I have illustrated the invention as used in connection with the front fenders only, but it will be understood that by virtue of a slight change of construction, shields may likewise be disposed on the rear fenders without departing Vfrom the scope of the invention described and then claimed. Y

The shields may if desired be lacquered on their outer sides Vto Vblend with the lacquered fender surfaces, thus eliminating the usual unsightly effect of mud-caked fender under surfaces. 1 i

The invention will be better understood from a description of the drawings in which l is a front wheel axle to which is fixed in the usual fashion a longitudinal multiple leaf spring 2, supporting a frame 3 by means of shackles et and shackle bolts 5. A bracket 6 serves to clamp the back bar of a bumper A in place on the vehicle. A fender 7 eX- tends outwardly over the car wheel and is mounted on the frame 3 by means of elonportion 7". whichv overl-aps. the flanged side- 9. Angle. brackets edge of' the dust apronl-Olfastenedto the lowerrim of the. fenderA 7` serve to actY as furtherfastening means to clamp the yfendeifto the car frame 31. Bolts 1-1 entend' through holes formed1 in brackets` 101 and the flanged, portionV 9 of the dust apron 9', fastening them tothe frame. A- feltv orrubber strip l2 may be inserted next to the frame, if desired.

' In thev modification shown-in Figures-3 and.- 9, the lower edge off the 'fender 7- may beA formed with aninturned flange 201coinciding with the flange 9 on the dustv apron-"all and: bolts 13 fasten the dustapron. andlower edge of the' fender to the frame.

shield le is adapted to be removably associated with the fender 7, and may-be fastened at its inner endto the fender 7 by means of'bolts l5 which have a threaded connec tion. with holes formed in the elongated brackets y 8, Strips 17: of rubber felt or simi'- l'ar material may ybe used to insure a tight connection. The shield 14 may be securely clamped along its forwardedge tothe fender 7; turning, the forward upper edge ofl the fender toform afliange 1 8, shownin Figures fand (ij-andjbolting the flange 18 to thev for; ward edge of' the shield', 141.

' h6, upper portion ofA the shield 14 is shaped tel the kfender 7 ,y the shield being progressively. flared outwardly as shown in Figure 4, and extendedA downwardly below the lower-surface of the leaf spring 2and extending forwardly beyond the front shackle bolt, to bracket 6. i The lower edge ofthe shield. will be preferably in the same horizontal plane as the lower edgeof the dust apron 9,;and it will be formed.. with a reinforcingbeadv 19; The shield le may extend rearwardly asv far as desired,lbut in its pre,- ferred form the rear edge will` be vertically disposed immediately in front of the front axle 1* rlhe shield lil: and dust pan 9' willlbe corre? spondingly shapedat'the forward lower` cor.- ne'r to enclose the front shackle asshown in Figure7. llheish-ield will be preferably of sheet metal and may if desired, have a lacquered outer surface to match the lacquered surface of the fender.

Various modifications in design, size and shape may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the shield: may be turned in; at its` lower-portion to enclose the bottom ofthe spring assembly and other means Jfor fastening the shield may be, substituted. for.. the means. described- It w'l'li be understoodflom. the. above description that the shield offers a substantial protection for the inner surface of the fender andV for the resilient car supports.

Lt, mayy coo-posate, with the dust apron in the manner described to form a complete envelop1 for-tliespring. The shieldl may easily and quickly be removed. for the purpose. of. cleaning ofrpolisliing/it, for replacement, or for any other'reason.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is l:

la Ani assemblyI for use in. motor vehicles` comprising a vehicle frame, a springl suspens. sion.l means therefor, a. fen-der positioned above theframe andi said means, and a shield. secured to the under side of the fender, and.

overlyin-gthe outer sidecof the frontend portion offsaid4 spring suspension` means.

2. An assembly for use in motor vehicles comprising. a vehicleframe, a spring suspen-- sion means therefor, a fender positioned above the franieandsaid means, and a shield removably associated; with theunden sideof the fender, theshiel'd: extending downwardly fifomiandi outwardly oli the fender, and over-L,

lying the outer side of the front end portion off said: spring` suspension.

3. Acnassembly vfon use inl motor. vehiclesv comprisingx a vehiclefranie, a springl suspension means therefor, a` fender positionedl abovetlie fnameiand said means, and a shield removablyassociated. with theunder side of saidfender, t-he shield being wholly rearwardv y of thef'ront edge of said fender and. extending downwardlyfromL and outwardly of said fender, ai suilicient vdistance, to .enclose at least a portion of the spring suspension means at one side-thereof;

Ll. An assembly'for useA in.. motor-vehicles comprising a vehicle fname, ai leaf spring disposed longitudinallyy of,l the. frame' and adapted: to form a. resilient support fon the frame, a fender positioned above the frame and spring, and: asliield removably associated with theunder side of the fendery lying wholly? rearward: of the front edgetliereof, and extending. outwardly'of. anddownwardly from the.v fender-.21 suflicient distance. to enclose at least a portion. ofthe spring" at one side thereof.

5. An assembly for use in. motor vehicles comprisinga vehicle frame, aleafispring disposedlongitudinally of f the frame and resilientl'y supporting.' tlie.fra1ne ony shackles, a fender, positioned above the frame and spring, and a shield removably associated with the under side of the fender lying wholly rearward of the front edge of said fender, and extending outwardlyV of and 5 downwardly from the fender and formed so as to'enclose a shackle and at least a portion of the spring at one side thereof. f

6. An assembly for use in motor-vehicles comprising a vehicle frame, a leaf spring disposed longitudinally of the frame and resiliently supporting the frame at its forward end, a vfront fender positioned above the frame and spring, a shield removably associated with the under surface of the fender and coinciding with the forward end of the fender, said shield extending outwardly of and downwardlyv from the fender, a dust apron positioned at the front of the vehicle frame having a side portion thereof extending below the vehicle frame, the lower edges of the shield and apron being extended downwardly a sufficient distanceto enclose a front portion of the spring at i opposite sides thereof.

7. An assembly for use in motor vehicles comprising a vehicle frame, a leaf spring disposed longitudinally of the frame and resiliently supporting the frame at its forward end on shackles, a front fender positioned above the frame and spring, a shield removably associated with the under surface of the fender and coinciding with the forward end of the fender, said shield extending outwardly of and downwardly from the fender, a dust apron positioned at the front end of the vehicle frame having a side portion thereof extending below the vehicleframe, the lower edges of the dustY apron and of the shield extending downwardly and forwardly a sufcient distance to enclose a shackle and a front portion of the spring from opposite sides thereof. v

8. In combination, a vehicle frame member, a fender positioned above the frame member and anchored thereto, a dust apron fastened to said member, at one side thereof, the loweredge of the fender being lapped over a portion of the dust apron, and a shield removably associated with the under side of the fender and lying wholly rearward of the forward edge of the fender.

9. In combination, a vehicle frame member, a fender positioned above the frame member, a dust apron positioned at one side of said member, said fender and dust apron being formed with meeting flanges whereby to fasten them to the frame member, and a shield removably associated with the under B side of the fender and lying wholly rearward of the forward edge of the fender.

10. A fender construction foruse in motor vehicles, comprising a fender, and a shield removably associated with the under side of t the fender substantially the entire area of the shield overlapping the forward portion of the fender.

11. A fender construction for use in motor vehicles, comprising a fender, anda shield removably associated with the under side of the fender, said shield extendingoutwardly from said fender and having its lower edge disposed downwardly of the lower edge of theV fender a suficient distance to enclose a portion of a vehicle spring when the fender is in assembled position substantially the entire area of said shield being back of the forward edge of the fender.

l2. A shield adapted to be used in a fender construction comprising an upper portion adapted to be fastened to the under surface of a fender in Voverlapping relation thereto, and a lower portion shaped to extend downwardly from and outwardly of the fender when the shield is fastened in position, the lower edge of the shield being spaced from the upper edge a sufficient distance so that said lower edge will be disposed downwardly of the lower edge of the fender. Y

18. In combination with a vehicle having a frame and a supporting spring, a dust shield mounted on said frame and extending downwardly to conceal the inner side of the front portion of said frame and spring, a fender mounted on said dust shield, and a shield secured to said fender and extending downwardly opposite said dust shield to conceal V"the outer side of said front portion of said frame and spring. v

14:. In combination with a vehicle having a front axle, a frame and a supporting spring, a portion'of said frame and said spring projecting in front of said axle, a fender mounted upon andV extending upwardly from said frame and a shield secured to the underside of said fender and overlapping that portion of the underside of said fender from approximately the vertical plane of the forward edge of said axleV to the end of said frame.

Signed by me at South Bend, Indiana, this 27th day of October, 1930.

vJAMES R. IrIUGlC-IES.` 

